"Cactus Jack"

This is now Hamp's new nickname.

Unfortunately, it's kind of self-explanatory... but I'll indulge you anyway!

On one of their expeditions, Hamp & a buddy were riding a great trail (just the 2 of them I might add!) when apparently Hamp fell off his bike and right into a cactus. He very bravely walked (hobbled?) all the way back to the campsite, with cactus spines sticking out of his whole right side, where he immediately received superb medical attention (read: tweezers and neosporin!) from the resident nurses. (Trina, Meredith & Shelly - my gratitude is endless!)

He howled and cried, but overall was pretty strong - and when asked if he wanted to go home once most of the spines were out and his hand was bandaged up, he very matter-of-factly said "Duh mom, I want to stay here"! (I think that had everything to do with the other dozen friends that were there to play with!)

Here he is getting some encouragement from Dad:

And here he is the next morning, still a little sore and not quite awake yet but ready to get right back in the mix!

So now it's almost 2 days later, and he's healing well. Lots of welts still on his leg and hip, and perhaps a few still buried little spines that we hope will work their way out eventually... but he is starting to come around to the idea of the legend of Cactus Jack!